The manufacturers Audi AG, BMW AG, FCA Italy S.p.A., Ford Motor Company, Hyundai Motor Europe Technical Center GmbH, JLR Jaguar Land Rover LTD, Opel Automobile GmbH, PSA Peugeot Citroën, Groupe Renault, Robert Bosch GmbH, Toyota Motor Europe NV/SA, Volvo Cars Corporation and Volkswagen AG (the ‘applicants’) submitted a joint application for the approval of an engine idle coasting function as an eco-innovation on 21 March 2018.

The application refers to the engine idle coasting function to be used in vehicles of category M₁ with a conventional powertrain (non-hybrid thermal engine). The basic principle of that innovative technology is to decouple the combustion engine from the drivetrain and prevent deceleration caused by engine braking. The function should be automatically activated in the predominant driving mode, which is the mode automatically selected when the vehicle is switched on. Thus coasting can be used to increase the rolling distance of the vehicle in situations where no propulsion or a slow reduction of speed is needed. When ‘coasting’, the kinetic and potential energy of the vehicle is directly used to overcome driving resistance and, as consequence, to decrease fuel consumption. To obtain less deceleration the engine is decoupled from the drivetrain by opening a clutch. This is done automatically by the control unit of the automatic transmission or by means of an automated clutch in case of a manual gearbox. During the coasting phases the engine is running at idle speed.

The applicants have provided a methodology for testing the CO₂ reductions from the use of the engine idle coasting function, which includes a modified NEDC test cycle to offer the possibility for the vehicle to coast. In order to determine the CO₂ savings achieved, the vehicle fitted with the engine idle coasting function should be compared with a baseline vehicle where the coasting function is not installed, not available in the predominant driving mode or disabled for testing purposes. In order to achieve a robust comparison the baseline vehicle should be tested on the standard NEDC under hot start conditions, while the modified conditions applicable for the vehicle equipped with the eco-innovation should be taken into account by a conversion factor being applied for the calculation of the CO₂ savings. It is considered appropriate to maintain the conversion factor at the value of 0,960 in line with the conversion factor set out in Implementing Decisions (EU) 2015/1132 and (EU) 2017/1402.

A key element in determining the CO₂ savings is the proportion of the distance travelled by the vehicle over which the coasting function is activated, taking into account that the coasting function may be deactivated in other driving modes than the predominant driving mode. In order to take into account the diversity of the vehicles on the market, it is considered appropriate to establish a usage factor that is representative of the rate of activation of the technology for a wide range of vehicles in real world conditions. Based on data provided by the applicants, it is clear that the activation of the engine idle coasting technology is dependent of certain speed limits that may vary between different vehicles. Based on the database provided, it is appropriate to consider the coasting function to be active at speeds above 15 km/h.

The information provided in the application demonstrates that the criteria referred to in Article 12 of Regulation (EC) No 443/2009 and the conditions referred to in Articles 2 and 4 of Implementing Regulation (EU) No 725/2011 have been met for a range of vehicles of category M₁ with a conventional powertrain equipped with automatic or manual transmissions. Moreover, the application is supported by verification reports established by independent and certified bodies in accordance with Article 7 of Implementing Regulation (EU) No 725/2011.

Against that background, the Commission finds that no objections should be raised as regards the approval of the innovative technology in question.

Any manufacturer should, in order to have the CO₂ savings from the engine idle coasting function certified, provide a verification report from an independent and certified body confirming the compliance of the fitted vehicle with the conditions specified in this Decision together with the application for certification to the type approval authority.

If the type approval authority finds that the engine idle coasting function does not satisfy the conditions for certification, the application for certification of the savings should be rejected.